18 | DECEMBER 3 • 2020
ister early because space will
likely be limited. Fees paid
for last summer can be rolled
over to 2021.
Several camps tried to
make up for canceling their
sessions last year by imple-
menting virtual programs.
Roeper Schools in
Bloomfield Hills normally
serves 400 children, ages
3-12, in its day camp and
another 100, ages 4-14, in a
theater camp. Last summer,
they ran one-hour online
programs offered in four
timeslots every weekday.
Participants could sign up for
one hour or for several.
About 250 children
enrolled in the virtual pro-
grams, said Paula Romano,
Roeper’s director of auxiliary
programs, including some
from out of state. It worked
so well that Roeper plans to
do it again this summer, even
as they hope to reopen the
onsite day camps.
OTHER JEWISH CAMPS
Last summer would
have been the 60th sea-
son for Camp Ramah in
Canada, affiliated with the
Conservative movement,
which normally serves nearly
600 children ages 7-16. When
the camp was forced to close
by the Ontario government,
they implemented a three-
week virtual program in
which 150 enrolled.
“We know how important
camp is, and we’re doing
everything we can to care-
fully and cautiously open
next summer,” said Aviva
Millstone, associate director.
Camp Young Judaea
Midwest in Waupaca, Wis.,
also ran an online program
called Virtual Explorers. “Any
child could join us for two
hours a day to engage in fun,
interactive programming,”
said Robin Anderson, direc-
tor. “Our programs included
cooking, escape rooms, maker
space, krav maga, art, Shabbat
events and much more.”
The camp hopes to open
next summer, and is working
with state public health offi-
cials and the American Camp
Association to develop plans.
Habonim Dror Camp
Tavor in Three Rivers, Mich.,
offered a four-week virtual
session as well as a fami-
ly camping program last
summer. “We adapted our
multi-day bike ride to a one-
day bike ride and developed
a brand new cabin rental
program, providing camp
families and alumni with a
unique, safe and nourishing
opportunity” to enjoy the
camp grounds, said Amit
Weitzer, executive director.
Tavor is consulting with the
camps that operated in 2020,
as well as with the Centers
for Disease Control and the
American Camp Association,
to develop plans for next
summer. “We know our
campers and community need
camp now more than ever
before,” said Weitzer.
Anna Singer of
Birmingham, parent of
Willoway campers Sam, 8,
and Jack, 6, agreed.
“You are true superheroes,”
she said in a note to the direc-
tors. “You have given us hope
and courage that our kids will
come through this hurdle of
life on the upswing. Camp
gave our children purpose,
much needed socialization
and challenged them.”
continued from page 16
“WE HAD TO BUY LOTS OF
EQUIPMENT FOR SANITIZING.”
— WILLOWAY’S LORRAINE FISHER
PHOTOS COURTESY OF CAMP WILLOWAY
Cassidy Tuthill of Bloomfield
Hills and Josh Lipson of
West Bloomfield get in some
fishing at Camp Willoway.
Alexa Schafer
of Birmingham
Joey Fearon of
Birmingham enjoys a
craft project at Camp
Willoway.
Ben Moor of
Bloomfield Hills
Zachary Dorf of
West Bloomfield
CAMP GUIDE